305 Students Move Into New Sekolah Rakyat Building in Sinjai
Students, teachers, and staff of the Integrated Sekolah Rakyat in Sinjai Regency, South Sulawesi, have begun using their new building, part of Indonesia's nationwide free boarding school initiative to break the cycle of poverty.
305 Students Move Into New Sekolah Rakyat Building in Sinjai
A total of 305 students, teachers, and educational staff officially moved into the new building of the Integrated Sekolah Rakyat in Sinjai Regency, South Sulawesi, on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for the government's flagship education program targeting Indonesia's poorest children.
Rahmat Surianto, Principal of the Integrated Sekolah Rakyat in Sinjai, confirmed on Sunday that all 305 individuals across elementary, junior high, and senior high levels have relocated to the dormitory and school facilities. The school admitted 230 new students this year, adding to 75 continuing students from the previous academic year.
The institution is part of the national Sekolah Rakyat initiative launched by President Prabowo Subianto on January 12, 2026. The program now operates 166 schools across 34 provinces and 131 districts, serving 15,954 students with support from 2,218 teachers and 4,889 education personnel nationwide. The government aims to expand enrollment to approximately 45,000 students by the end of 2026, with a long-term target of establishing 500 schools serving one million children by 2029.
Established under Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2025 on Optimizing Poverty Alleviation and Eradication of Extreme Poverty, the program specifically targets children from families in the lowest welfare deciles registered in the National Socioeconomic Single Data, focusing on those who have never attended school, dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out.
The Sinjai school had initially welcomed hundreds of new students on June 13, but sent them home when construction was not yet complete to ensure their safety and comfort. Although the building remains not fully finished, Surianto said its current condition is adequate for educational activities and dormitory operations.
Extended Orientation and Academic Preparation
New students will undergo an extended School Environment Introduction Period through dormitory-based programs before beginning academic classes. The orientation involves 26 guest teachers, including 17 senior high school educators, and includes participation from the Indonesian National Armed Forces. The program runs from August 19 through the end of the month.
The school was allocated a quota of 270 new students this year. Surianto noted that preliminary outreach identified 230 eligible children who have now been formally admitted. He expressed hope that the full quota can still be met through continued recruitment efforts.
Comprehensive Support Services
The Sekolah Rakyat program provides comprehensive free education including tuition, boarding, three nutritious meals daily, uniforms, school supplies, and health checkups. Students benefit from modern educational technology including Learning Management Systems, smartboards, and laptops. Beyond student services, the initiative includes family empowerment programs, home renovations for unsuitable residences, and economic support to help families escape poverty.
Sinjai Regency, located in South Sulawesi Province, has a population of approximately 273,559 as of mid-2024. The school represents one of more than 100 locations nationwide where the government is constructing permanent Sekolah Rakyat facilities, with 93 buildings targeted for completion by June 2026. Each permanent campus is designed on 5-10 hectares of land and includes technology-enabled classrooms, laboratories, libraries, digital learning hubs, dormitories, canteens, clinics, sports courts, and green areas, with capacity for 2,000 to 2,500 students.